Howdy,

We've reached the end of the line and it's perhaps more bittersweet than usual after last season was canceled due to the pandemic. We forgot during that lost year how much we enjoy the #cthsfb.

We’re going to predict the winners, as we have during the first two rounds, even though we were a catastrophe during the semifinals (4-4).

Sure, getting something 50 percent of the time is great if you were a Major League hitter. Being correct on 50 percent of the time picking the state semifinals? Barf.

We’re going to be wrong again here (hopefully just once) but just because we picked against you doesn’t mean we don't like you. Hell, WE DON’T EVEN KNOW YOU, MAN.

We included picks made by both Sean Patrick Star and Pete Papagooga of the GameTimeCT/Heart Inc. Monolith and CalPrep’s cold, emotionless computer model. CalPreps has been smashing it this season with a 79.9 percent success rate (382-96).

Petey is 22-2 during states, so maybe you should go with his picks over ours.

REMEMBER — this is an exhibition, this is not a competition. Please, no wagering.

ALSO REMEMBER — YOU MUST buy tickets online because they won't be sold at the game. We added the ticket link for each game in their respective preview.

YOU'RE also encouraged to follow all of Saturday's fun on the Twit at #cthsfb.

HERE WE GO~!

CLASS LL

NO. 1 FAIRFIELD PREP vs. NO. 3 DARIEN

WHERE/KICKOFF: The house that Jerry McDougall built, Trumbull High, 3 p.m.

RECORDS: Fairfield Prep 11-1; Darien 11-1.

TICKETS: HERE.

LOOK/LISTEN: NFHSNetwork.com.

ROSTERS: HERE.

PREP DUDES: Sr. RB Daniel Barnick (151 carries, 1,023 yards, 11 TDs); Sr. James Iaropolli (19 catches, 422 yards, 3 TDs); Sr. DE Jack Mullen (71 tackles, 14 sacks); Sr. LB Ryan O’Connell (5 rushing TDs; 80 tackles, 5 sacks); Sr. QB Connor Smith (120 of 233 passing, 1,627 yards, 17 TDs, 6 INTs; 90 carries, 493 yards, 6 TDs); Sr. WR Tim Pearson (51 catches, 640 yards, 11 TDs); Sr. DB-LB-WR Tymaine Smith (88 tackles, 5 sacks, one INT).

DARIEN DUDES: Sr. FS Christian Alliegro (73 tackles, 3 INTs); Sr. CB Joe Cesare (33 tackles, 7 INTs); Sr. RB Tighe Cummiskey (212 carries, 1,678 yards, 18 TDs; 22 catches, 288 yards, 4 TDs); Sr. QB Miles Drake (123 of 199 passing, 1,866 yards, 26 TDs, 6 INTs; 3 rushing TDs); Sr. DE David Evanchick (69 tackles, 14 sacks); Sr. G Beau Hancock (6-3, 270); Sr. WR-CB Jaylen Lesperance (23 catches, 381 yards, 5 TDs); Sr. WR Matt Minicus (46 catches, 757 yards, 15 TDs); Sr. Sean Quick (94 tackles, 3 sacks); Sr. DT Cole Murphy (93 tackles, 8 sacks); Sr. G Connor Sini; Sr. Jeremiah Stafford (24 catches, 262 yards, 3 TDs; 5 rushing TDs); Jr. WR Jake Wilson (22 catches, 392 yards, 4 TDs).

WORDS: The winner figures to finish as the numero uno team in The Day's Top 10 state coaches' poll because the participants are the highest remaining teams — Darien is third, Prep fourth. New Canaan's defense is the only one that managed to grind the Blue Wave's offense to a halt (it won, 12-7 on Thanksgrabbing). It couldn't stop them the second-time around as the Blue Wave ran 44 times for 248 yards and three touchdowns in their 24-10 semifinal win. We're not sure if the Jesuits' D can slow Darien down because it's generally both run and thrown efficiently.

Our biggest question is can Prep win if the Blue Wave's D makes it one-dimensional as Darien has been vicious against the run. The Blue Wave have played seven games against winning teams and allowed 708 yards on 226 carries (3.13 ypc). That includes holding Norwalk's Cam Edwards, arguably the state's top back, to 18 yards on 10 carries. Evanchick and Murphy are both also a handful rushing the passer.

PETE SEZ: Darien.

SEAN SEZ: Darien.

CALPREPS SEZ: Fairfield Prep, 24-21 (the computer ranked Darien first and Prep second in its state ratings, so we’re not sure why it picked Prep as we’re just a fleshy, illogical human).

POLECAT SEZ: Darien.

CLASS L

NO. 3 MALONEY vs. NO. 5 WINDSOR

WHERE: Veterans Stadium at Willow Brook Park, New Britain.

RECORDS: Maloney 11-1; Windsor 11-1.

TICKETS: HERE.

LOOK/LISTEN: NFHSNetwork.com; WELI-960.

ROSTERS: HERE.

MALONEY DUDES: Sr. QB Angel Arce (128 of 209 passing, 1,901 yards, 25 TDs, 6 INTs); Jr. RB-LB Josh Boganski (234 carries, 1,511 yards, 14 TDs); Sr. WR-DB Tylee Flowers Jr. (18 catches, 339 yards, 5 TDs; 28 tackles, 5 INTs); Sr. WR-DB Joziah Gonzalez (45 catches, 572 yards, 5 TDs; 20 tackles, 1 INT); Sr. WR-DB Ian Graham (44 catches, 600 yards, 7 TDs; 3 rushing TDs; 26 tackles); Jr. RB-LB Kenny McMillan (60 carries, 283 yards, 11 TDs; 87 tackles, 3 sacks); Sr. OL-DL Daejon Nixon (72 tackles, three sacks, 1 INT); Sr. WR-DB Johnny Rosado (64 tackles), 3 TDs; Sr. WR-DB Rashawn Shelton (46 tackles, 9 INTs); Sr. WR-DB Austin STUDLEY (25 catches, 535 yards, 9 TDs); Sr. RB-LB Kuron Wiggins (63 tackles, 3 INTs).

WINDSOR DUDES: Sr. RB-LB Shawn Bell; Jr. QB Elijah Cromartie; Jr. RB-LB Quincy Davis; So. WR-DB YAYO Rodriguez; Sr. WR-DE Prince Samuels; So. WR-DB Damion Sparrow; Jr. RB-DB Chili White; Jr. WR-DB Jaion Williams; Sr. WR-DB Jaevion Wolcott.

WORDS: This is as close as we'll get to a Central Connecticut Conference championship game as Maloney is the Division 1 champion and Windsor won Division 2.

There's been arguably no hotter team in the state than Maloney since its 13-7, opening-game loss to Southington (Sept. 10). The Spartans have outscored their last 11 opponents by a combined 24.4 points. Focus on Boganski and Arce will pick you apart. Focus on Arce and Boganski (and McMillan) will eat you up on the ground. The Spartans, ranked fifth in The Day's coaches' poll, have been something else defensively, too. Go back and count all the interceptions listed in "MALONEY DUDES." They proved during their 49-14 quarterfinal win over Bristol Central (Nov. 30) that they're stout against the run, too. Victor Rosa, who was named Gatorade's Connecticut Football Player of the Year winner, rushed for 2,730 yards and 41 touchdowns in 11 games this season. That ranks ninth all-time for most rushing yards in a season, according to the Connecticut High School Football Record Book, and his 41 touchdowns ties Ansonia legend Arkeel Newsome for the 12th most scored in a season. Maloney was just the second team to hold him under 200 yards (he ran 28 times for 132 yards, a 4.7 average).

The Warriors are coming off the most shocking semifinal result as they rallied from an 18-point halftime deficit and beat defending state champion St. Joseph on the road, 35-31. They even won despite turning it over four times (the Cadets had two turnovers). Windsor, ranked sixth in The Day's coaches' poll, has a balanced offense of its own with Cromartie and Bell. Cromartie, who started as a freshman, completed 15 of 28 passes for 207 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions in the St. Joseph win. Bell added 30 carries for 140 yards. Maloney's offensive line needs to keep an eye on Samuels because had had 14 sacks during the regular season.

There's a whole lot of talent on both teams and the Warriors certainly proved on Sunday that they're not easily rattled, but we believe Maloney is going to make history by becoming THE FIRST Meriden school to win a CIAC football state title.

PETE SEZ: Maloney.

SEAN SEZ: Maloney.

CALPREPS SEZ: Maloney 35-27.

POLECAT SEZ: Maloney.

CLASS M

NO. 1 KILLINGLY vs. NO. 2 ROCKVILLE

WHERE: Veterans Stadium at Willow Brook Park, New Britain.

RECORDS: Killingly 11-0; Rockville 10-2.

TICKETS: HERE.

LOOK/LISTEN: NFHSNetwork.com; WELI-960; WINY-1350 AM.

ROSTERS: HERE.

KILLINGLY DUDES: Jr. OL-DL Terrence Allen (56 tackles, 6 sacks); Sr. OLB Seth Dootson (58 tackles, 2 sacks); Jr. QB Thomas Dreibholz (51 of 96 passing, 1,102 yards, 16 TDs, 2 INTs); Jr. WR-S Ben Jax (25 catches, 703 yards, 8 TDs; 51 tackles, 3 INTs); Sr. TE-DE Nate Keefe (13 catches, 288 yards, 4 TDs; 62 tackles, 4 sacks); Jr. FB-LB Keith Perry (102 tackles, 4 sacks); Sr. C-DL Noah Russell; So. FB-ILB Soren Rief (102 carries, 967 yards, 14 TDs; 55 tackles, 3 INTs); Sr. WR-CB Trevin Russ (33 tackles, 1 INT); Sr. RB-OLB Jack Sharpe (204 carries, 1,304 yards, 23 TDs).

ROCKVILLE DUDES: Sr. RB Travon Edmondson (144 carries, 863 yards, 14 TDs); Jr. WR-DB Hason Green (15 catches, 278 yards, 5 TDs; 31 tackles, 7 INTs); Fr. RB-LB; Amir Knighton (32 carries, 529 yards, 6 TDs); Jr. OL-LB Malachi Mapp; Sr. RB-DB Deshaun Perry (89 carries, 663 yards, 9 TDs; 19 catches, 301 yards, 5 TDs); Sr. WR-DB John Ryan; Sr. QB Matt Ryan (1,247 yards passing, 14 TDs, 10 INTs); Sr. G-MLB Ashton Szrejna; So. OL-DL Jackson Torres (6-foot-4, 324 pounds); Sr. OL Henry Tyus (6-3, 321); JAMES the RAM.

WORDS: This is the toughest game for us to call even after seeing both in person.

Killingly, ranked ninth in The Day's coaches’ poll, mowed down everyone in its way during the regular season. It won by an average of 36.6 points with a power run game that averaged 256.7 yards.

Killingly, by its own admission, didn’t play its best in its Nov. 30 quarterfinal against the Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic co-op despite the score (49-14). It then narrowly survived Branford on Sunday, 13-12, in the semifinals. It was physically beaten up front for over three quarters and finished with a very un-Killingly-like 38 yards on 26 carries (the Hornets finished with a 261-159 edge in total yards). It also struggled with Branford’s speed, just as it did with Fred Camp of Gilbert.

It just so happens that we saw the Rams when they played their worst game of the year on Nov. 11, a 48-7 beating from the Stafford/East Windsor/Somers co-op. Bulldogs head coach Brian Mazzone was shocked that his team was able to dominate Rockville because it was both bigger up front and had better team speed.

The Rams shook off that loss and won its last four games by an average of 26 points. That includes Sunday’s 42-12 thrashing of Torrington in which they scored 42 unanswered points.

So how does this game play out? Can Killingly get back to playing more consistently and bully Rockville enough up front to open running lanes for Sharpe and Rief? Will the likes of Deshaun Perry, Edmondson and Green be too much for Killingly to handle?

PETE SEZ: Rockville.

SEAN SEZ: Killingly.

CALPREPS SEZ: Killingly 31-21.

POLECAT SEZ: Killingly.

CLASS S

NO. 1 BLOOMFIELD vs. NO. 2 CROMWELL/PORTLAND

WHERE: McDougall Stadium, Trumbull High.

RECORDS: Bloomfield 12-0; Cromwell/Portland 12-0.

TICKETS: HERE.

LOOK: NFHSNetwork.com.

ROSTERS: HERE.

BLOOMFIELD DUDES: Sr. RB-FS Shane Bell (34 tackles, 2 INTs); Sr. WR-DL Robert Dunkley (28 catches, 392 yard, 5 TDs; 41 tackles, 5.5 sacks); Jr. WR-CB Jose Feliciano (20 catches, 339 yards, 8 TDs); So. QB Darrien Foster (105 of 152 passing, 1,511 yards, 22 TDs, 4 INTs); Sr. DE-LB Jakar Jenkins (89 tackles, 13.5 sacks); So. WR-CB-FS Davien Kerr (29 tackles, 4 INTs); So. WR-CB-FS Davion Kerr (26 tackles, 4 INTs); Jr. WR-LB Trey Ortiz (40 catches, 486 yards, 6 TDs; 58 tackles, 3.5 sacks); Jr. RB-LB Conellius Patrick (134 carries, 1,311 yards, 15 TDs; 60 tackles, 7 sacks); Sr. RB-LB Dallas Rose (145 carries, 1,500 yards, 21 TDs; 61 tackles); Jr. WR-DE Howard Simpson (56 tackles, 6 sacks).

C/R DUDES: Jr. QB Cole Brisson; Sr. RB-LB Owen Brunk; Jr. RB-DE Alex Hair; Jr. WR-LB Ryan Rozich; So. C-DL Jack Williams; Sr. WR-LB Teddy Williams; So. WR-DE Emeka Yearwood.

WORDS: On paper, this game should be the most explosive because Bloomfield leads the state in scoring (484 points) and the PANTHERLANDERS are third (469).

We thought New Fairfield was going to win it all. The WARHAWKS proved us WRONG last Sunday as they recovered six Rebels’ turnovers and won, 22-14. Patrick and Rose are arguably the state’s best running back duo, and Dunkley, Feliciano and Ortiz are gifted enough to take short passes from Foster and gain 10 yards at a time.

CromPort did Sunday what very few teams have done the past four decades — demolish Ansonia, 46-7. Brisson and Williams combined to have one of the greatest games by quarterback-receiver combination in that win. Brisson completed 17 of 23 passes for 510 yards and six touchdowns. Williams (nine receptions, 350 yards) caught five of those touchdown passes.

We’re most curious about Bloomfield’s defense vs. the PANTHERLANDERS’ offense. The latter ran just 11 times for 14 yards against Ansonia. They shouldn’t do any better against a WARHAWKS’ D that’s allowed a state-low 6.3 points a game and held Rosa to 99 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in a season-opening 7-6 win over Bristol Central on Sept. 10.

Crom/Port was more than comfortable getting all of its offense via the pass against Ansonia. Can its offensive line give Brisson enough time against Jenkins, Dunkley and Simpson? Conversely, how does Bloomfield defend Williams?

PETE SEZ: Cromwell/Portland.

SEAN SEZ: Cromwell/Portland.

CALPREPS SEZ: Bloomfield 28-21.

POLECAT SEZ: Bloomfield.

• • • •

That's all for now.

MUCHAS GRACIAS, all of you wonderful mammals who've followed this wacky blog all season.

Enjoy your Saturday.

Adios....